Fraser Henderson1, Khalif Abdifatah2, Mahmood Qureshi3, Avital Perry4, Christopher S Graffeo4, Michael M Haglund5, David Oluoch Olunya2, Edwin Mogere2, Ben Okanga6, William R Copeland7. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Section, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. 3. Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Section, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya; NED Institute, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania. 4. Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York, USA. 5. Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Global Neurosurgery and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA. 6. Coast Province General Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Mombasa, Kenya. 7. Department of Surgery, Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya. Electronic address: wrcopeland3@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is a regional accrediting body for general and specialty surgical training programs that has recently expanded to include neurosurgery. As neurosurgical services expand in sub-Saharan Africa, the structure of training and accreditation has become a vital issue. METHODS: We review the founding and current structures of COSECSA neurosurgical training, identifying accomplishments and challenges facing the expansion of neurosurgical training in this region. RESULTS: The COSECSA model has succeeded in several countries to graduate qualified neurosurgeons, but challenges remain. Programs must balance the long duration of training required to promote surgical excellence against an overwhelming clinical need that seeks immediate solutions. CONCLUSION: Harnessing global collaboration, rapidly expanding local infrastructure, and a robust multinational training curriculum, COSECSA has emerged as a leader in the effort to train neurosurgeons and is anticipated to dramatically improve on the markedly unmet need for neurosurgical care in sub-Saharan Africa.
BACKGROUND: The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is a regional accrediting body for general and specialty surgical training programs that has recently expanded to include neurosurgery. As neurosurgical services expand in sub-Saharan Africa, the structure of training and accreditation has become a vital issue. METHODS: We review the founding and current structures of COSECSA neurosurgical training, identifying accomplishments and challenges facing the expansion of neurosurgical training in this region. RESULTS: The COSECSA model has succeeded in several countries to graduate qualified neurosurgeons, but challenges remain. Programs must balance the long duration of training required to promote surgical excellence against an overwhelming clinical need that seeks immediate solutions. CONCLUSION: Harnessing global collaboration, rapidly expanding local infrastructure, and a robust multinational training curriculum, COSECSA has emerged as a leader in the effort to train neurosurgeons and is anticipated to dramatically improve on the markedly unmet need for neurosurgical care in sub-Saharan Africa.
Authors: Fraser Henderson; Jacob Lepard; Jason Seibly; William Rambo; Scott Boswell; William R Copeland Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2020-06-22 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: Kwadwo Sarpong; Tarig Fadalla; Deen L Garba; Mazin Suliman; Myron Rolle; Adam Ammar; Haytham Hussen; Kee B Park Journal: Brain Spine Date: 2022-06-09